John w



(No Model.)

J. W. I. STEVENSON.

BELT STRETGHER. N0. 298,910. Patented May 20, 1884.

Fig.4.

N. PETERS. PlwlmLilhugmphur. Wnshmglnn. D. c.

rr TA'IFS nrnnrr rric,

JOHN W. I. STEVENSON, OF ROCHESTER, N EW' YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF ANDJAMES F. GORDON, OF SAME PLACE.

BELT STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,910, dated May 20,18184. Application filed July 12, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. I. SrEvnNsoN, of Rochester, New York, haveinvented an Improvement in Belt-Stretchers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improve ments inbelt-stretchers,designed more particularly for use in tightening thecarrying and elevating canvas now generally employed on grain harvestingand binding machines, but capable of being employed for other purposes.

My improvements are fully described in the accompanying specificationand drawings, and the novel features thereof specified in the claimsannexed to the said specification.

My improvements in belt-stretchers are represented in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation representing the manner ofusing my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4represents my improved belt-stretcher as seen from the side, with theclamping-jaws open.

My improved belt-stretcher consists of a lever or handle, A, provided atits lower end with the eccentric clamping-jaw 13, between which andtheeecentric G the belt is held during the tightening operation. At asuitable distance above the jaws the hooks D D are attached to the leverA. These hooks are preferably, for cheapness of construction, made of asingle piece of wire inserted through a hole at E in the lever, anddoubled on itself, so as to bring the hooks at its ends at a suitabledistance apart to engage with the buckle J near its outer sides, asrepresented in Fig. 3. By bending the wire inward just outside the leverthe hooks are secured from being accidentally detached. The clampingjawO is attached to an arm or plate, F, which extends upward on one side ofthe lever A, and is pivoted thereto, so as to swing freely on the pin,screw, or rivet G. The arm and jaw are stiffened on the outside by asuitable rib, and the end L of the arm which extends beyond the pivot isarranged to bear against the lug or projection H, Fig. 2, on the lever,so as to relieve the strain on the pivot caused by the clamping of thebelt I between the jaws B and C. The lever A may be ribbed pivotedclamping-jaw on one or both sides, so as to secure the requisitestrength with the least weight. The jaws B and O are formed on a circleor curve, the center of which is eccentric with the pivot G, beinglocated to the right hand of the pivot, as shown in Fig. 4., so thatwhen'the belt I is placed between the jaws and the upper end of thelever is swung toward the right hand from A to A in Fig. l the belt isfirmly clamped between the jaws.

The method of using my improved beltstretcher will be readilyunderstood. from the preceding description and an inspection of theaccompanying drawings. The perforated end of the belt or strap I beingplaced between the clamping-jaws, and the hooks D D being en gaged withthe cross-bar at the free end of the buckle on the other end of thestrap, the lever A is now swung over from A toward A in Fig. 1, drawingthe buckle along the free end of the strap and straining the belt untilthe desired amount of tension is produced, after which the tongue of thebuckle is caused to enter one of the holes in the strap, and theinstrument is detached by a backward or return movement of the lever.

My improved belt-stretcher is easily and.

cheaply made, the lever and clampingjaw 0 consisting, preferably, ofmalleable iron, and it will be found exceedingly convenient andefficient in practical use.

I claim 1. The combination, with the lever A, provided withclamping-jawB and pivoted clamping-jaw O, of the hooks D D, arranged toengage with the cross-bar of a buckle near its ends, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the lever A, provided with clamping-j aw B andpivoted clamping-jaw O, of the hooks D D, formed from one piece ofmetal, inserted through an opening in the lever and bent into suitableshape, and arranged to engage with the crossbar of a buckle near itsends, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN V. 'I. STEVENSON.

lVitnesses:

A. R. SELDEN, JAS. F. Goanou.

